DARREN Moore is keeping his fingers crossed he will be spared an emotional return to The Hawthorns with Derby County next season.

The former Albion defender has helped the Rams to Champion-ship safety and now has one eye firmly on his former club's battle avoid the drop in the Premiership.

He is confident Albion can achieve Premiership survival - ensuring a return to his former stomping ground is delayed for one season at least.

"What I don't want is to have to go back to The Hawthorns next season as a Derby county player - unless it's in the cup," said Moore. "It would be my worst nightmare."

Moore continued: "I am feeling for the lads. But you must remember I know that dressing room and the kind of people in there and I can assure all Albion fans there is no better spirit anywhere.

"There is immense talent in that club and there is a will to win. They've not been getting the three points but the fact is they are still in with a very good chance of climbing out of trouble.

"One thing is for certain, neither the gaffer or his players will give up and it would be ill-advised for anyone to write them off. This side is capable of getting three to four back-to-back wins from those last five games and that could well be enough.

"It's so important Albion stay up because I feel they could take off and become a major force."

Moore played in Albion's 1-1 draw at Arsenal last season and came on as a sub in their 2-1 victory against Arsene Wenger's men earlier this term.

He believes there could be another shock in store when Albion make their last-ever visit to Highbury this Saturday.

"We got a point at Highbury last season and then we went to Old Trafford and got a draw," he added. "We all know how valuable those points were and they are more than capable of doing it this season.

"I think the home games against West Ham and Bolton will be vital but there is also no reason why they can't take points from Arsenal, Newcastle or Everton.

"Arsenal's Champions League game is very significant. Subconsciously that will be at the back of their mind and it's a lot of games they'll have played lately.

"Arsene Wenger will have some big decisions to make over his team selection and who knows what kind of side we'll see on Saturday."